Who really holds authority in the local church? In this hard-hitting sequel to “Buyer Beware Part 1,” Pastor Conrad Vine tackles the critical issue of ecclesiastical power and the rights of local congregations. Centered on a dispute involving the banning of a local elder, Vine dissects the Church Manual to argue that the business meeting is the highest authority in the local church. He warns against a rising “administrative state” within Adventism that seeks to centralize power, override due process, and silence faithful voices. This sermon is a passionate defense of congregational autonomy, biblical justice, and the God-given responsibility of elders to shepherd their flock without fear of administrative overreach.
